Devil in the detail
Remember the broken clutch cable I managed to replace? I was just so happy to have got it all sorted and to be back on the road again in the Outer Hebrides. Life was good, I was mobile again, which is pretty handy when you’re staying on an island in the North Atlantic that is technically nearer to Norway or Iceland than London or Hastings!
I try and post a few updates on my Instagram stories of things I get up to in between writing content like this for the website. Yes, I do write the content, there is no AI-generated churn here! Social media can be a great tool, and a fun way of sharing things you get up to, as long as you don’t get sucked into believing all of its hype! Now I don’t normally give crazy big shout-outs to people, but in this instance, I am. Read on and you’ll soon see why…
Help not hype
One of my friends Simon follows me on Instagram. I got a message from him in reply to one of my recent stories about the broken clutch cable. You know, the one I had just fixed.
I would make sure your cable lever is the correct way around as you are under there, breaking at that point is a red flag to the lever position being wrong. The curved section should be towards the rear of the bus.
There then followed an online conversation (ie; an education for me) as to what, where and how this clutch cable lever was and should be. He couldn’t tell for certain from my initial small photo, so the only way to be 100% sure was to get back under the bus and have a look. Simon talked me through what I was to look for, what way around it should be and even the size of the spanner I would need to take it off and turn it around! 17mm in case you are wondering!
I have to say it had bugged me as to why the cable had broken in the first place. I hadn’t seen any obvious points it was rubbing metal on metal. I had to just conclude it was just normal wear and tear, but it felt like a bit of an odd thing to happen. Having a possible reason for why it had broken was good to know. Unfortunately, it could involve more time on my back under the bus with a spanner in the cold again. To be honest, not something I was looking forward to!
Eagle eyes
Simons’s eagle eyes to the rescue. He was dead right, somewhere along the line in the past, unfortunately, the clutch cable lever had been put back in place back to front. It’s a bit tricky to see from the picture. Fortunately, Simon knew what he was looking at. Access was a tad tricker than it might normally be on a standard stock bus, as I discovered the only slight drawback to my bespoke power-assisted steering system. It goes right across the easiest access area to the clutch cable
Once I had got the cable released at the front and undone the 17mm bolt, the lever was fairly easy to pry loose with a screwdriver. Once removed, it was much easier to see exactly what he meant in terms of its correct positioning.
Finally fixed correctly
Hopefully, this might help someone else or act as a future reference. The upright part where the clutch cable attaches to the lever, should be at the front end of the bus, and the lower curved portion (by the fixing bolt in the picture) towards the rear of the bus.
The new correct positioning of the lever meant I needed some cable adjustment too. I had to loosen off the clutch cable at the rear to allow the front end to be attached. This front attachment process again was a bit of a faff, mainly due to the restricted access I had to operate in. Lots of patience was required.
Eventually after being out in the cold too long, I finally got it attached and in place again. Woohoo, such a happy feeling right there! Off for a quick test drive with a very satisfied smile on my face.
So who is Simon?
You might already know him. He’s a very clever engineer who has always had a passion for VW’s. He started designing replacement parts for his vehicles when suitable options weren’t available. He then spotted a distinct gap in the market for better quality replacement parts when his friends also started asking for the same parts for their various rides.
So he set up Buttys Bits in 2012 producing an ever-increasing range of innovative and indispensable parts for VW enthusiasts around the world!
He designed the superb Buttys Bits throttle kit. I’ve personally bought it for my last two buses. It’s an excellent kit and in my opinion, an essential first upgrade to make on your bus! This upgrades your old worn-out original assembly to give a way smoother pedal action and a spring return to the accelerator pedal.
Essential Buttys Bits
Another great upgrade that I’d personally recommend is his twin-speed 12-volt Wiper Motor upgrade kit with a self-park function. Again, I don’t recommend things I don’t use myself. I bought this and run it on my bus currently. In the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the wipers get used a lot! This makes all the difference, especially the self-park feature. No more guessing where the wipers will end up on your windscreen!
No more noisy worn-out old 6-volt motors, no more 12-volt armatures inside a 6-volt unit. If you’ve ever driven a splitty in the rain, then you’ll know the problems with the old units and how ineffective they can be. This transforms all of that. Well worth upgrading to one of these!
Beetles and Bay windows too
He hasn’t stopped with just VW Spitscreen buses. He also does stuff for Beetles, Bay windows, Type 25/3 and Type 3’s too. Plus he also produces some useful tools and accessories to help complete those awkward jobs! There is also the obligatory cool merchandise on offer too!
Spicy Volkswagens
Yes, even air-cooled ‘Spicy Volkswagens’ get the Buttys Bits attention to detail, so if you are into the automotive family relative sometimes called a Porsche 912, Porsche 911 or Porsche 356, Buttys Bits has stuff for you too!
Support Independent suppliers
Moral of the story? I was very, very grateful to have a friend who not only spotted this but also helped guide me through fixing it. Hopefully, this clutch cable should last a good long time now the lever is the correct way around. I don’t want to be changing clutch cables every few years that’s for sure!
Also, support local businesses. They care about what they do, and the people who use their products. If you are looking for bits for your Volkswagen split screen bus, bug, bay window, T25/3, T3 or even your (Spicy Volkswagens) Porsche 911/912/356, then why not check out Buttys Bits and support the expertise and quality innovation on offer!
6 thoughts on “Buttys brilliant bits”
I had an accelerator cable go on my Bay. A nightmare to get under the bus and find its way through from the front to the back wall and into the engine bay. Made a Heath Robinson bendy metal rod affair from an old car aerial to get it through the rear, under the bus, passing over inherent blocking points and taped it to the new cable end. Pulled through and finally housed. Replaced the old system under the floor pedal with a Butty Bits accelerator system. Amazing piece of kit. Touch the pedal and it simply responds as a normal car would. His email communication was full of support too. Well worth the swap from the old worn out system to his new design. Great post here again. Good fortune in your new year journeys. Cheers.
Yeah, I love the way he resolves issues to produce solutions that really do enhance the user experience. He’s a top guy! 😎
Like the idea of his wiper blade system. And yes. He is a top guy. Spot on. But having the new engine, starter motor, etc. has been very expensive this year. So need to pull back a little now. Just bought a Fender Jazz Bass and amp too this year! So…Next year I’m doing what you do best. Simply getting out there and enjoying the bus. All the best.
Sometimes, that’s how it goes. Should make year even more special when you get back out there to enjoy your bus! 👍🏼
Especially now retired. Your blogs inspire motivation. So cheers. 😊🙏🏽
That’s really nice to hear and know, thanks! 😎